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MG Midget and Sprite Technical - Replacement Windscreen

Now my car is back on the road (touch wood) and the sun's out (touch wood again) it has reminded me that my windscreen has loads of little scratches. So I'd like to replace it.
To keep down time to a minimum, 'cos I'm hopeless at keeping momentum on a project, I'd like to refurb a spare screen assembly and then swap the two.
Assuming I get a frame from the correct year, should they just fit without fettling? I quite like the idea of a heated screen if they're still available. Are there shims and stuff to make adjustments?

I've read some of the previous posts wrt tie-down straps, hassle with sealing rubbers and access to the bolts near the door hinges. Any other tips?

Mark
M Crossley

Hi Mark.
How badly scratched is your windscreen? If it's only light shallow scratches the chances are you can fix it.

I used it successfully. Not on the midget - on my old Merc estate which had permanent scuff marks from the wiper and loads of very fine scratches. These were probably bad enough to make the MoT a bit chancy.

I think this is what I used:

http://www.amazon.co.uk/Windscreen-Scratch-Polishing-Glass-electric/dp/B001RAQGXC

Or something very similar, based on Cerium Oxide.

Some people reckon toothpaste works. I didn't try but it might be worth a shot.

The general rule-of-thumb seems to be that if you can feel the scratch with your nail it's too deep to polish out.

On tip I learned the hard way is to use a chinagraph pencl to mark where the scratch is on the other side of the glass, so you can guage your progress.

On the other hand you may find you local screen repair shop can do it for you.

I'm about to buy another of these kits for the Midget as one PO was apparently a lady with a penchant for diamond rings which she neglected to take off before de-fogging the screen with a cloth!
RS Hughes

There isn't one area of marks, there's just thousands of marks all over the glass on both sides. It would also appear to be what I guess are angle grinder burns from past repairs. It wouldn't suprise me if its the original screen. Night time driving is hard work too.

I quite like the idea of cleaning and re-anodising the framework. (I have a work contact)

As far as I can tell the fitting proceedure would be to loosly fit the bolts and seals then adjust the fit to match the undisturbed quarterlight frames.

I know that is easier said than done. What I'm wondering is can I just pick up any windscreen from a wind-up window car, refurb it and expect it to fit my car? Or would I be better to use the existing frame? In which case I might try polish for now, and save the job for next winter.

Mark
M Crossley

Theoretically, any screen should fit.

There are shims between the bottom of the stanchions and the A-pillar.
Dave O'Neill 2

Not a job I've ever attempted, but it doesn't look too complicated.

You could probably get a screen assembly from Andy Jennings, for example, although the glass would probably be no better than yours. Or you might get lucky!

The Moss catalogue says it's the same assembly for Sprite MkIV, Midget MkIII and 1500 midget and they list the screen glass and glazing seal as in stock at 57.50 and 27.60 respectively (unless you want it tinted). Also a tube of sealant goo for 6.16.

Not that I'm particularly an advocate for Moss - just using their stocklist for an example. And it seems to be a good guide to what fits which car, although I do know that some people have received the wrong bits in the "right" boxes now and then.

http://www.moss-europe.co.uk/shop-by-model/mg/midget/exterior/windscreens-glazing-fittings.

Like yours, my Merc screen was covered with thousands of very fine scratches which I think came from the lady I bought the car from having the habit of putting it thru an automatic car wash twice a week for however many years. I got it very respectable by polishing it, but it took a lot of patience.
RS Hughes

I have done this.

I did at first try polishing out scratches using Cerium Oxide. It was slow and messy. It didn't really get out the myriad of tiny chips in a 30 year old screen. And the process encouraged a tendency in me to rub harder on the scratched areas with the end result that the glass was no longer flat and in places the view of the road ahead was like looking through a distorting lens.

I then bought a replacement glass from Moss. About £45 I think. A revelation with new glass fitted - especially on dark wet winter nights and oncoming traffic!

Replacing the glass is straightforward but takes time and patience. I found the best way to get the frame back onto the glass was using mini ratchet straps and gradually tightening these a few clicks at a time over a period of about an hour. That, and use of lubricant on the screen rubber seals.

The other tricky bit is clamping the completed screen down hard enough onto the car scuttle to get the mounting bolts in place. I devised a method (which will be in the archives) of using ratchet straps hooked around the door hinges to pull the screen down. There are also tips on getting the lip of the seal along the base of the screen to seat properly using a credit card.

The corners of the screen are fastened together with L shaped brackets and little countersunk set screws. Take care with these, there are 2 lengths and if you get them in the wrong locations they can contact the edge of the new glass and would likely crack the new screen as you gighten everything up.


Guy W

I replaced my glass also... it was super easy, and I never broke a sweat

I simply took the old frame and glass off the car, gave it plus the new glass to a automotive glass repair shop plus $125 and picked it up 3 days later

The glass guy was pissed as heck and faught it tooth and nail..he did a good job,I think it was the best $125 I ever spent on the car

Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Prop

That sounds by far the easiest way of doing it!
Dave O'Neill 2

I have to go with Prop on this one. Find a specialist, preferably one with MG experience and let them do the glass installation. I have read about people who did it themselves and put the wrong screw in the wrong place and as they tightened it up-crack-!

I had mine done by a place that knew what he was doing and it was worth every penny. Only took about 3 days and some of the screws were hard to get out as well and needed a little bit of heat.
C Ravenwood

Mark

This any use?

http://www.gumtree.com/p/car-replacement-parts/mg-midget-windscreen-/1112266676

Cheers
Mike
M Wood

S/H screens are fairly plentiful.

I've got two or three!
Dave O'Neill 2

To this day, I dont miss the $125 I spent for a pro, I remember at the time getting advise from several forums and they all said.the same, "farm it out"... that was after my adventure of rebuilding the rack and pinion, and thinking at the time... I dont need another nightmare like that.

:-)

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Its like lots of these jobs that are at least an aspect of owning a classic car.
If you enjoy a challenge, like fixing things and have time and reasonable ability, then have a go and get the satisfaction that goes with success. But be prepared for calamities!

If you just want a new screen then get the chequebook out. Its probably cheaper anyway if you find a good condition 2nd hand one!
Guy W

Its a hell of a job but it can be done by a novice.
I did it with help of a mate of mine.

Last time I didn't had the time to do it myself so had my local garage do it.
They did a good enough job but to be honest, the rubber under the windscreen is not as nice fitted as ive done myself a couple years ago and also they didn't pay enough attention to the bar in the middle of the screen so it is not screwed in the right position and now is loose and ratling....
I guess I have to do it over some day coming winter..
Arie

Thanks for all the help chaps.

I think as a temporary measure I'll give the Cerium Oxide polish a go. I'll try not to turn the glass into a verifocal lens.

I've tracked down a spare screen locally and I'll strip and refurb that over the summer. Then I can swap it later in the year.
Has anybody got sunvisors fitted? Are they any use? More trouble than they're worth?

Thanks once again.
Mark
M Crossley

I find sun visors useless in the midget and perfer an mg midget ball cap and sun glasses

Prop
Prop and the Blackhole Midget

Agreed Prop. I took my tatty visors out and binned them. Worse than useless and they interfered with the hood.
RS Hughes

Sun visors also drip water on your legs when it rains if like me you are not prone to using the hood.

Trev
Trevor Mason

just read you have found a screen local -- shame i was gonna offer you one in exchange for access to your contact (anodising)
Mick - still wiring!!

Mick
I use a company called Colour Anodising. They are in Radcliffe, Manchester. They have a min order value, but I sometimes put motorcycle or car parts through alongside work stuff.
They do all manner of discrete colours and finishes as well as the lurid purple and pinks that you sometimes see.
There can't be anything but aluminium in the tank, so no steel inserts. Also some grades of aluminium take a better finish than others. It's an insulator, so clear it away from a thing that needs an earth. I use Alocrom 1200 for a conductive coating.

(They do clear as well as colours :-) )

Mark
M Crossley

I replaced my tatty sun visors with new ones a few years ago and they are an improvement.
Don't use sun glasses so they are a must for me even in Scottish summers if on the go with the sun just over the horizon.
JB Anderson

This thread was discussed between 14/05/2015 and 16/05/2015

MG Midget and Sprite Technical index

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